Sheila Dikshit's steps to make Delhi safer for women

New Delhi: As protests erupted over the gang rape of a 23-year-old, the Delhi government announced a draft of measures including setting up of a round-the-clock control room for women in distress and proposing a stringent law to check crime against them.

Briefing about the measures, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the government plans to bring a stringent law to curb sexual assault on women and requested Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaisingh to prepare a draft bill.

Mrs Dikshit, who has also come under attack following the ghastly assault on the girl in Delhi on Sunday, said all stakeholders would be consulted before finalising the proposed legislation.

"I think it will go a long way in containing crime against women. We will consult all stakeholders before finalising the draft law," she said..

The measures were finalised by the city government based on suggestion put forth by representatives of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and various other organisations at a meeting called by Mrs Dikshit on Wednesday which was attended by top brass of the Delhi Police including its commissioner Neeraj Kumar.

Vice Chancellor of Delhi University Dinesh Singh, Planning Commission member Syeeda Hamid, Chairperson-designate of FICCI Naina Kidwai and former NCW chairperson Mohini Giri were also present at the meeting.

Mrs Dikshit said the round-the-clock control room for women in distress will function from her office at Delhi Secretariat and will have dedicated phone number. The control room will be commissioned within next 10 days.

The Chief Minister said a massive public awareness campaign will be launched soon on safeguarding the dignity and safety of women in the city. DCW will act as a nodal agency for the campaign in which citizen groups, RWAs, corporate houses and Mahila Panchayats would be involved.